Meet Lanisha Thornton | Founder & Owner of Runnin’ Buzz Bartending

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lanisha Thornton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lanisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Well I always have enjoyed working in the wedding and event industry. And I always had a passion for mixing drinks. I started out mixing drinks for random events of family and friends, then I realized I could actually make money doing one of the things I love. Therefore, I started researching ways on how I could explain my knowledge in the beverage industry. I went to bartending school that had an online program allowing me to learn more about the liquors, wines, proper way to serve and mix, etc. This was the written portion. To get the hands on training and experience, I attended a hands-on training program at a local bar in Jacksonville, FL every weekend for about three months until I learned the basic cocktails every bartender should know. I wanted to make sure I went into this business at least knowing some of the basics and the history of bartending before officially bartending, better yet starting a mobile bartending business. To me, it is better to have the education and credentials behind the industry that you are starting a business in, and that is where a lot of individuals and/or businesses fail.

What should our readers know about your business?
Most mobile bartending services are licensed to serve alcohol only. They are not licensed to sell unless they have a license to provide full catering services with an additional license to sell alcohol. In addition, people think a bartending business is all about serving and/or selling alcohol.  However, Runnin’ Buzz Bartending is a mobile bartending and beverage catering service that is set to accommodate anyone and everyone with a beverage of their choice. What that means is that we are a service that not only mix and serve cocktails, but we also mix and serve mocktails ( non-alcoholic mixed beverages).

Runnin Buzz Bartending is a certified minority-woman owned business with a family operated team consisting of mixology-trained bartenders and/or certified alcohol servers that can handle everything needed so all clients or hosts can be a guest at their own event.

The most important factor behind the success of Runnin’ Buzz Bartending is the passion I have for what I do. My level of passion for my business, has been observed by others in my community and across the United States, and that has brought on new clients and new opportunities. I have a passion to help an accommodate everyone, in which is why we also specialize in mocktails. We aim to let our young people and the sober community know they can also enjoy a good mixed beverage without alcohol. It allows them to feel even more apart of the fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area, I would plan to take her to the following events or places:

Monday – Games, pizza, and seafood night w/ a taste of Runnin’ Buzz Bartending’s signature cocktails/mocktails

Tuesday – Visit the Tallahassee Museum, go to a movie at CMX Cinemas (Fall Chase Theater), dinner @ Georgio’s

Wednesday – Drive-by Tour of Tallahassee ( including FAMU, FSU, TCC), lunch @ G&G Caribbean Restaurant for their signature and tasty Oxtails, Wine Down Wednesday @ Hummingbird Wine Bar

Thursday – Brunch at Edison, Visit the Riley Museum, tour of Cascade Park , dinner & cocktails @ Charlie Park (Hotel Rooftop Bar & Restaurant )

Friday – Lunch at Gordo’s, shopping at the Governor’s Square Mall, Ladies Night @ Shriners Lounge

Saturday – Saturday football @ Miller’s Ale House (Outside bar)

Sunday – Virtual church service, backyard BBQ cookout with friends, family, and possibly attend “The Social Lounge” event

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would first like to give honor and thanks to our God above. Because without Him, none of this would have been possible.

However, more than our brand we represent other individuals and businesses in our local community. We provide services that safeguards everyone’s reputation including our own by professionally representing ourselves.

There are so many individuals who I would like to dedicate this shoutout to, especially within my family and friends. However, I am not going to list everyone individually. However, the three most important individuals who helped me create my brand and bring it to life are: my cousin Gregory Denagall (Designed Advantage www.dadvan.com ); and my graphic designer’s Yonda Green (Yonda Graphix) and Tyler Knuckles (TK Imaging).

However, I have been very appreciative of the support I have been given from: The Big Bend Minority Chamber of Commerce, Women Wednesdays, DOMI, Working Class Wednesdays, and the National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals (NSBWEP) for the continued network and support. They have all played a major part in helping my business grow, and helping me make better decisions about my business, as well as myself.

Website: https://www.runninbuzzbartending.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runninbuzzbartending

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanisha-thornton or https://www.linkedin.com/company/runninbuzzbartending